Chapter 6:Capitalize on the Reading-Writing Connection
I found it interesting where it said that Reading and Writing are separate subjects.We teach Reading and Writing together.In our Reading program, it incorporates a writing section into it.I think they are two subjects that should be linked together.What you write usually is something that you end up reading so it makes sense to connect the two.I also think it is very important to have the students read as much as possible.It is also important to have them listen to the teacher read.This builds the skills necessary to be able to understand what is being read to them.After lunch, before we go out to recess, I read a few chapters out of a book.Before we start the next day, they review what we read previously.In a fourth grade classroom, I observed a teacher who had her students snap every time they heard a simile.This was what they were working on and it really challenged the students to listen carefully to the story.By incorporating little things like this into a read-aloud time, it will help strengthen the students’ skills.Several times a week, I allow the students “book box” time.I have a large number of books they can pick from and they find a spot in the room.They then read.Once they’re done with that book, they may go and grab another book.I believe summary writing is a bit complex at the first grade level.It is a skill that needs to be mastered, however with some time.I do believe that they should be able to talk and discuss to come up with a summary of what they have read.This helps them to truly understand the content.
I like your theory on the connection of reading and writing. I agree- what we write, we almost always end up rereading- or someone else ends up reading it. We also read what others write, so there is a huge connection there.
I was interested to find that read-aloud time could really happen three times a day! I have a read aloud time every day after lunch. Sometimes I'll read a picture book, other times I'll start a chapter book that will take several days. I like the idea of having students snap when they hear a similie. You could use this strategy for a variety of text- rhymes in poetry, hearing vocabulary words, etc. I need to try something like that to make my read alouds more interactive. A lot of times it seems like I'm just reading and some of the kids are listening. I need to get them all engaged!
I love the idea of having them snap when they hear a particular thing when listening to the teacher read. This does bring the concepts to a real-life situation instead of it being an individualized concept. I am going to use that in my room this year. Thanks for sharing. I also agree that summarizing is a hard concept. Like you said, it has to be modeled and done as a shared project numerous times.
When you have "book box time" do you let them read any book or do they have to stick close to their level? I have heard of a lot of first grade teachers that only are having kids read books around their guided reading level. I let my kids read any book during SQUIRT (super quiet uninterrupted reading time). I do not know if that is what I should do, but I think they like it.
Kymberly: I let them read any book they would like. I think it challenges them if they read a little bit harder of a book. If they aren't sure of what a word is they come up and ask me and I will explain it to them. They do really well with this though.
I like your theory on the connection of reading and writing. I agree- what we write, we almost always end up rereading- or someone else ends up reading it. We also read what others write, so there is a huge connection there.
ReplyDeleteI was interested to find that read-aloud time could really happen three times a day! I have a read aloud time every day after lunch. Sometimes I'll read a picture book, other times I'll start a chapter book that will take several days. I like the idea of having students snap when they hear a similie. You could use this strategy for a variety of text- rhymes in poetry, hearing vocabulary words, etc. I need to try something like that to make my read alouds more interactive. A lot of times it seems like I'm just reading and some of the kids are listening. I need to get them all engaged!
Michelle
I love the idea of having them snap when they hear a particular thing when listening to the teacher read. This does bring the concepts to a real-life situation instead of it being an individualized concept. I am going to use that in my room this year. Thanks for sharing. I also agree that summarizing is a hard concept. Like you said, it has to be modeled and done as a shared project numerous times.
ReplyDeleteWhen you have "book box time" do you let them read any book or do they have to stick close to their level? I have heard of a lot of first grade teachers that only are having kids read books around their guided reading level. I let my kids read any book during SQUIRT (super quiet uninterrupted reading time). I do not know if that is what I should do, but I think they like it.
ReplyDeleteKymberly: I let them read any book they would like. I think it challenges them if they read a little bit harder of a book. If they aren't sure of what a word is they come up and ask me and I will explain it to them. They do really well with this though.
ReplyDelete